Pak firing on Jammu border injures BSF jawan

Jammu: A Border Security Force (BSF) jawan was injured today in firing by Pakistan Rangers at an Indian border outpost on the International Border in Jammu district, police said.

“There was ceasefire violation by Pakistan in R S Pura sector (of Jammu) today,” a police officer told PTI.

One BSF jawan sustained injuries in the firing from across the border and has been hospitalized, he said.

Significantly, on July 17, the BSF and the Pakistan Rangers had held a commandant-level flag meeting in Samba sector along the International Border and “committed” themselves to maintaining peace.

In the flag meeting, the two sides had agreed to re- energise instant communication between field commanders, whenever required, to resolve petty matters, a BSF official had said.

“They committed to each other to maintain peace and tranquility at the International Border,” the official had added.

Two days back, senior Army commanders of India and Pakistan also held a flag meeting on the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch sector in J&K and agreed to institute mechanisms for durable peace and tranquility on the border.

The year 2017 has seen a sharp increase in ceasefire violations by Pakistan.

Till August 1, there were 285 such violations by the Pakistan Army while in 2016, the number was significantly less at 228 for the entire year, according to the Army figures.

Eleven people, including 9 soldiers, were killed and 18 injured in ceasefire violations by Pakistan Army in the month of July, the Army data says.

There were 83 ceasefire violations, one BAT (border action team) attack and two infiltration bids from the Pakistani side in June in which 4 people, including 3 jawans, were killed and 12 injured.

In May, there were 79 ceasefire violations, according to officials.